[Steve]

I can't find any good reviews regarding these two manufacturers in the 25 foot modified vee category. Which is the safest, best built and best value of these manufacturers in your opinion. Any other selections pertaining to this type of pilot house boat should I be looking at?

You won't find reviews of Parkers very often becase Lin Parker doesn't want to be bothered supplying writers with boats to test. And he probably doesn't have to. He has a good business and isn't interested in growing beyond where he is now, I guess. Steiger Craft makes a tough, durable boat too. You won't go wrong with either one.

Which did you decide on? I'm interested in the 2310 Parker and the Steiger Craft 23 Chesapeake. Both of these boats are new to the Northwest for the most part so I can't find much information on either. They both seem well built basic fishing boats that can handle fairly rough water. I have come to the conclusion that you can usually tell a good boat by how well it holds it's value. I'm assuming that both of these would. I like the lifetime warranty that the Steiger Craft comes with, but it's also more expensive than the Parker. Anyway, just interested on what boat you chose? Or if you did. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I chose the 23' Miami. It has a full drop-down curtain instead of the fiberglass doors, and a gel-coated interior instead of the Parker's carpeted walls which I think will be easier to clean. Both are great boats, but I think the Miami/Chesapeake is more versatile with it's 13" draft. I put a pair of Suzuki 200's on the bracket.

[Jim]

I LOOKED FOR 2 YEARS AT THE SHOWS AND FOUND THAT THE BEST VALUE WAS THE PARKER 2320. VERSTILE TOUGH BOAT. I HAVE HAD IT NOW FOR TO YEARS AND HAVE FISHED IT HARD. IN SEA OF CORTEZ AND TOUGH UNPREDICTABLE WATERS OF CALIFORNIA. I HAVE BEEN AMAZED AT HOW WELL THIS BOAT CAN HANDLE 10 TO 14 FT. SEAS. OF COURSE I WOULD'NT SUGGEST YOU TRY THAT BUT SHE'S BEEN REALLY GOOD TO ME AND THE BOAT IS WORTH DARN NEAR AS MUCH AS I PAID FOR IT.

I am looking at buying either a 25 parker or stieger and cannot make up my mind. Both are excellent boats. In my mind the Parker comes up short by not offereing the Diesel engine anymore and is a little more over priced, but the Stieger has a smaller cabin. I believe I am going to go with the Steigeronly due to the availablity of the diesel. With gas prices the way they are and only rising, diesel is the best bet.

I have been researching walk-arounds for a long time, looking to buy one soon in th 23-25 foot range. I was thoroughly impressed by the Parker 2320 and 2520, from construction standpoint as well as room on board. Amazing room available on both vessels. High dollar new, but solidly built, my only drawback with Parker is the continued presence of wood structural members. My feeling is no boat of this value should have any wood in the construction in this day and age, particularly given the hull warranty offered. Still shopping.

any boat w/wood in the hull - built correctly - is not going to have issues. parker takes the time to make sure the fir is completely encapsulated and unable to retain or be exposed to moisture. this allows for an incredibly dry, overbuilt, unbelievable boat w/a ride to match. ride in one, touch one, own one, before you complain about the wood that's in it, or the carpet, or the cabin size. it's the last boat i'll ever need.

any boat w/wood in the hull - built correctly - is not going to have issues. parker takes the time to make sure the fir is completely encapsulated and unable to retain or be exposed to moisture. this allows for an incredibly dry, overbuilt, unbelievable boat w/a ride to match. ride in one, touch one, own one, before you complain about the wood that's in it, or the carpet, or the cabin size. it's the last boat i'll ever need.

I pushed enter instead of tab on the last message! I own a 2001 Steiger Craft Block Island 23. I really like the boat. It doesn't make me nervous in heavy seas and is built like a tank. I have a 230hp Mercruiser w/ duo-prop drive. 2.5-2.7 MPG with a good load on board. I have 787hrs on the engine.
I can also testify to Al Steigers commitment to his customers. The first engine had major electrical issues that Mercruiser couldn't reslove. Mercury just kept trying differnt things to repair the electrical problem. Al Steiger came to the rescue and paid the lions share of a new motor to be installed (the rest was paid by Mercruiser). After the first three months of Mercuiser hell, the next one has run for 3 1/2 years trouble free.
Al Steiger builds great fishing boats and takes care of his boat owners.